Most recent public comments by Jennifer Benaggoun https://nowcomment.com/users/80139 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1874250 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1874250 Selwyn also talks about this in his conference presentation. We need to avoid producing fluff in favor of hearty, meaty research plus meet the needs of under-represented groups. Mon, 11 May 2020 15:56:59 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1874234 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1874234 What works for one teacher's class may not work for mine--even within the same subject. Teachers' and students experiences and personalities vary from class to class which also affect implementation. Mon, 11 May 2020 15:54:24 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1874218 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1874218 I would like to believe that EdTech discourse will have a broader impact on society, especially since Covid-19 forced students and educators, who may not have been favorable of educational technology in the past, to have a deeper look at its possibilities. EdTech discourse is a hot topic these days, and I never thought about it as Selwyn (2017) suggests. Thinking back, I can remember educators using terms, such as blended learning and 21st century skills, as buzz words. It was also quite clear that the meaning escaped some of them. (Similar to the "thinking out of the box" scenario for innovation and creativity which has become so cliche') I think Selwyn's (2017) list is important to consider as budding EdTech scholars: 1. Individualization 2. Education as a area of informalization and risk 3. Reframing educational concerns 4. Competitive endeavor 5. Free-market values (but covertly promote monetization of education products) 6. Reconfiguration as a commodity 7. Privatization 8. Expansion of education--always on 9. Emotional aspects We, as researchers, need to take his advice and make EdTech discourse useful and understood, as well as study areas of missing discourse, including ethics and common good. I firmly believe that we are in a pivotal moment in history where EdTech has suddenly been thrust into mainstream society. How fortuitous to be in the DET program now, so we can share our knowledge with others. Mon, 11 May 2020 15:48:55 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1874119 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1874119 Prof Sara, I totally agree with you. It seems like a given that use of technology should have clear achievable goals, but according to Cuban (and me) this isn't always happening in classrooms. I had an English "lab" last semester where students were supposed to work on-campus in a computer lab to complete language activities. I kept asking myself why the students were even in the class. They all have laptops and access to the online software, so there isn't really a need to keep them on campus. I think the original plan was faulty and the technology could have easily been replaced with pen and paper. Mon, 11 May 2020 15:08:26 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1874114 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1874114 My boss has been a regular visitor in my classes since we started teaching online, plus I've had visitors from the ministry of education drop in. I assume it's mostly because of the novelty of online classes, but some countries/institutions are more intrusive than others. For me, I enjoy using humor in my classes. I teach English to future engineers who really don't like English, so my main strategy is to keep things fun and engaging. According to students, they love my classes and feel like they've learned, but I feel like it's a 16 week community building project each semester. Onlookers may not understand that. For example, a few weeks ago I started adding quarantine memes at the end of each class. Students loved it, but I wonder if management has that same sense of humor. Thu, 14 May 2020 13:26:44 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871888 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871888 I agree with Selwyn that teachers need to consider the context of their school, but what if management isn't supportive? What if those same "social, political, and cultural aspects" get in the way of progress? Mon, 11 May 2020 10:42:24 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871883 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871883 Selwyn talks about how technology is not a "one-size-fits-all" strategy, but national and even state-wide curricula are aiming for certain standardized goal--and technology is often only a tool to take those exams on. Sun, 10 May 2020 16:36:19 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871864 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871864 Unfortunately, the slow adoption process doesn't apply to our current situation. It will be interesting to see which digital technologies survive in the coming months. Sun, 10 May 2020 16:29:50 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871861 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871861 I agree with Selwyn in that teachers need to have a practical use in mind before adoption. In the past, I've been inspired to use new technology simply by hearing what another educator had to say about it. Sharing knowledge, whether it's at a conference or in the lunch room, is an important first step. Thu, 14 May 2020 13:34:42 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871850 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871850 Even though there are plenty of people who avidly protest smartphones in the classroom, there are many others who see valid opportunities to learn with mobile devices. The International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning is dedicated to the topic. For example, students can use their phone for an engaging round of Kahoot or respond to a question as a voice note. Sun, 10 May 2020 16:15:26 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871830 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871830 Sun, 10 May 2020 16:00:16 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871829 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871829 I agree that tech in schools is necessary given the day and age that we live, but at the same time it can be overwhelming for teachers. As the lead English teacher in a university, I have attended numerous meetings with vendors trying to sell their wares. Each product is “the next best thing” and each vendor wants us to try it out for a couple of weeks. The problem is that any new technology/device needs an implementation plan. Throwing it into a classroom for a few weeks without proper knowledge of how to use it and how it benefits your class is often disastrous. Not only that, but the current lesson plans get side-tracked. And then, to add insult to injury, even if teachers like the product/device, procurement departments might veto the purchase. Sun, 10 May 2020 15:58:39 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871827 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200875?scroll_to=1871827 Thu, 14 May 2020 13:26:44 -0400